Sparrin' Over the Sporran

[Jack Daw]

I may be piping at the Worldwide Gathering of Clan MacIntyre at the Taynuilt Games in July 2008. I need advice from the Brits here...or, from anyone else, who may know.

I have learned that there is a ban on wearing certain fur sporrans in the UK, but I'm uncertain what fur is included in the ban. Obviously, I want to make sure I don't have any of mine confiscated and/or myself fined. I'm not sure which sporrans I plan to bring at this point; so, all those with fur (excluding my military horsehair, of course) include: seal-fur front semi-formal; rabbit-fur formal; and, badger-mask (Argyll&Sutherland).

[beloitpiper]

What an honor!!! As a piper, I am very jealous.

Here's some info on the legality of sporrans and here's an article about it. I'm pretty sure the seal and badger is illegal. The horse and rabbit should be fine.

[Jack Daw]

Actually, Beloitpiper, I'm not the only piper piping. There will be several of us with different chanters and reeds, if you get my meaning. I'm not looking forward to lugging all my kit over there, either. We have a 10-day private bus tour afterwards, and my bad back is going to love it.

And, thanks for the info on the fur ban. I thought I read that seal was out, but was unsure if there were other banned furs.

[SFCRick]

I have a full face Badger sporran, but has anyone ever seen a whale or dolphin sporran?

[James MacMillan]

For what it's worth - and your experience may vary - I had an Uncle of mine just return from a visit, and he had with him a full faced Badger sporran, and upon entry, they had him fill out an affidavid stating that the sporran was made prior to 1994. Sign it and he was fine. He wore it several times and also had it in his baggs coming home and had no problems.

[BoldHighlander]

You know, I've heard of this before but had forgotten about it. What I'm wondering Jack, do you know who made your sporran? I'd suggest maybe getting something from them attesting that its legal(?)...

Of course, a broader question is why should this "law" affect sporrans made in the US / Canada where we maynot have such restrictions?

[The Wizard of BC]

You also need to remember that it is illegal to bring Seal and seal fur products into the US. So upon your return you may be stopped.

[BoldHighlander]

You also need to remember that it is illegal to bring Seal and seal fur products into the US. So upon your return you may be stopped.

Indeed... I was just looking thru one of my many kilt/Scottish goods catalogs (in this case Houston Traditional Kiltmakers) & they have the following regarding their fur sporrans:

"We cannot export seal skin sporrans to USA. So an alternative skin can be sent, e.g. Rabbit, Bovine (Cow), Mink, Chin Chilla, Racoon, Artic Fox, Angora, Horse hair."

I suppose those makers, like Lamont Sporrans who advertises a badger fur sporran, or Kilberry Sporrans whom has a full range of seal skin sporrans, have to jump thru some kind of legal hoops to use these hides, eh?

[Jack Daw]

You also need to remember that it is illegal to bring Seal and seal fur products into the US. So upon your return you may be stopped.

When I came back from Scotland and into the Newark airport my luggage was searched in Customs, so it's possible.

[Jack Daw]

I have a full face Badger sporran, but has anyone ever seen a whale or dolphin sporran?

It may be just a matter of time.